Chichester Central School Principal Pamela Stiles called her trip to Washington D.C. last week a once in a lifetime experience. (COURTESY)

Chichester Central's principal honored in D.C.

By BENJAMIN C. KLEINUnion Leader Correspondent

CHICHESTER - Chichester Central School Principal Pamela Stiles spent part of last week in Washington, D.C., after being named a 2013 National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

.Stiles said that the Washington trip was a whirlwind of meetings and conferences, but was well worth it.

"The trip has been fantastic; it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I have been so busy here; I have barely had five minutes," Stiles said...Stiles said that along with meeting principals from across the country, she also met some of the heavy hitters in national education, including Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

"But what was really important is that all the principals in attendance had an opportunity … to discuss some of our successes and the challenges we all face and how to tackle those issues," Stiles said...Stiles was one of 61 principals from across the country to be honored. She was nominated by Tara Beauchemin, a teacher in her school.

"It was surprise, it was an honor. You go through the day and you do what you do, you handle situations and hope that you have a positive influence on people during the day, and to have a teacher say what you do is valuable enough to bring attention to it, I was very humbled by that," Stiles said.Stiles added that she feels that Chichester Central, a K-8 grade school, has a special community of students and staff that without whom none of this would be possible..."We have so many special things in our school. We have an extremely positive and welcoming school climate," Stiles said.